Mechanism for sizing and segregating ores or disintegrated materials.



.Patented Oct. 2, 1900.

2 Sheets-8heet- I.

C. E. SEYMOUR & H. 8. MOREY.

(Application filed on. 24, 1896.)

MEfiHANISM FOR SIZING ANli SEGREGATING ORES 0R DISINTEGRATED MATERIALS.

(No Model.)

m LT 5 c. E. ssvmoun & H. s. momzv.

Patented Dot. 2, I900.

MECHANISM FOR SIZING AND SEGBEGATING ORES 0R DISINTEGRATED MATERIALS.

(Application filed bet. 24, 1896.) (No Model.)

THE. "cams rzrzns co, vuo'rau wa. wgsumaran, o. c.

2 Sheets-Shnet 2.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. SEYMOUR AND HENRY S. MOREY, OF PLACERVILLE, CALI- FORNIA.

MECHANISM FOR SIZING AND SEGREGATING ORES R DIS INl EGRATED MATERIALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,807, dated October 2, 1906.

Application filed 001701161 24, 1896.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES E. SEYMOUR and HEN-RY S. MOREY, 0f Placerville, in the county of El Dorado and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mechanism for Sizing and Segregating Ores or Disintegrated Materials, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

Ourinvention has relation to improvements while the finer material is allowed to flow over the tops of said boxes. This, however, is slow and in many cases impracticable.

The object of our invention is to provide a process and suitable mechanism for sizing and segregating pulverized or finely-divided materials, relating more particularly to the treatment of ores to prepare them in sized, segregated, and uniform products for still further advantageous treatment for the extraction of the desired products they may contain, and our process and mechanism by the employment of centrifugal force to a high degree and forcing the materials centrifu gally against an adverse force (a jet of water, air, or steam under pressure) at a point or points of discharge of the vessel to the exterior enabling the work to be accomplished most thoroughly and rapidly.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the complete machine inclosed within the casing as when in operation. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the complete machine with the hinged section of the casing thrown open, parts being in section for convenience of illustration.

treatment vessel. Fig. 4 is a sectional frag- Fig. 3 is a plan view of the' Serial No. 609,889. kNo modeli) mentary view of a part of the treatment ves-' sel, illustrating in connection therewith a valve mechanism for regulating the degree of the opposing force. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the conduit leading to a single discharge-tube. Fig. 6 is a. view of a fluid-forcing device.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 6 6 indicate bed-plates on which the machine is supported. To these bed-plates is secureda fixed section 7 of the casing, which is approximately semicylindrical in shape and is bulged out or made in cup-shape form at its upper end. Hinged to this section at the points 8 8 is a similarly-constructed section 9. This section 9 is shown in Fig. 1, in connection with the fixed section, as inclosing the interior parts, while in Fig. 2 it is swung to an open position. By thus constructing the casing in two sections, one of which is hinged, access can be readily had at all times to the interior for the purpose of cleaning or repairs.

Extending inwardly from the section 7 are brackets 10 10, said brackets provided at their inner ends with bearings 11 11. The numeral 12 indicates a hollow shaft which is journaled in these hearings, said shaft supporting at its upper end a treatment vessel 13. This treatment vessel is shown in Fig. 2 as provided with an inner supplemental wall 14, between which and the outer wall a chamber 15 is formed. The outer wall has also depending centrally therefrom a hub 16, which hub surrounds the upper end of the hollow shaft 12 and rests upon the'top of the upper bearing 11. The outer wall is also provided near its upper end circumferentially with aseries of conical externally-discharging tubes 17, and the inner wall is provided with corresponding points with similar tubes 18, which extend partially into the tubes 17.

Secured to the fixed section 7 of the casing and arranged so as to be below the point of discharge of the tube 17 is an annular trough 19. Also secured to the section 7, so as to be below the upper outwardly-extending flange 20 of the treatment vessel, is another annular trough 21. The troughs 19 and 21 are provided, respectively, with discharge-tubes 22 and 23. It will be noticed that the free edge of the hinged sect-ion 9 of the casing is provided with recesses 24 24, which when the hinge-section is swung around to a closed posit-ion are adapted to receive therein the discharge-tubes 22 and 23. It will be further noticed that the hinged section 9 is provided with a top or cover 25, which when said section is thrown around to the closed position (shown in Fig. 1) will cover the entire upper end of the machine. Extending through this top or cover is an inlet-pipe 26, which is adapted to discharge near the bottom of the treatment vessel. Provision is shown for removing this pipe when it is desired to open or close the hinged section. A flexible pipe (notshown) may also be coupled to the upper end of the pipe 26, said flexible pipe leading to the source of supply.

It will be seen that the tubes 17 and 18 do not come in contact with each other, but are set apart to admit the force used, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The number of these tubes required depends upon the size of the treatment vessel and also the capacity desired under a given outside pressure and an inside centrifugal force. We do not therefore care to limit ourselves to any particular number of these tubes, but desire to conform them to the conditions they are subjected to.

The numeral 27 indicates a collar on the hollow shaft 12, said collar being arranged on the shaft immediately below the upper bearing 11 and held to said shaft by means of a set-screw 28. By reason of the contact of this collar with the hearing it prevents the possible lifting of the shaft by the action of the water, steam, or air against the inner wall 14 of the cylinder. Secured medially on the shaft is a pulley 29. The power is designed to be transmitted by a belt 30, (see Fig. 1,) extending around the pulley and passing out of the casing through the slots 31 31 in the respective sections of the casing. While we have shown a pulley mounted on the shaft and a belt in connection with said pulley for the purpose of transmitting the power, yet we do not wish to be understood as thereby limiting ourselves to that specific arrangement, inasmuch as any desirable means for rotating the shaft may be employed.

' Secured to the base-plate 32 of the section 7 of the casing is a gland 33, into the bore of which the lower end of the hollow shaft extends for a short distance. The gland is provided with the upwardly-extending annular flange 34, into which fits a stuffing-box 35. Between the lower end of this stufling-box and the upper end of the gland are arranged a series of packing-rings 36. The stuffingbox is held firmly to the gland by means of bolts 37. A force feed pipe 38 extends upwardly into the gland, so as to discharge into the revoluble hollow shaft 12. A tight connection between this force-feed pipe and the revoluble shaft is secured by means of the bolts 37, which have the effect of tightly d rawing the stufiing-box into the gland and compressing the paoking-rings. The force-feed pipe is shown in the drawings as forming the connection by being compressed tightly. If preferred, this pipe 38 may be screwed into the gland 33. As an additional means of securing, however, we show a collar 39, through which the force-feed pipe passes, said collar being secured to the under side of the baseplate 32. A set-screw 40 passes through the collar and impinges against the pipe. The pipe 38 is supplied with a valve 4.1 for the purpose of regulating the supply of the foreing agent, whereby the applied force to the centrifugal force can be adjusted. The valve also permits the flow of water, steam, or air to be entirely shut off, if desired.

In the operation of the invention the inaterial to be treated is admitted through the pipe 26, which is designed to discharge near the bottom of the treatment vessel. The revolution of said treatment vessel causes the material to be carried around at a somewhat less velocity than the treatment vessel, owing 3 to the slipping of the material on the sides of p the vessel.

The material is carried upward and outward by the centrifugal force and in the forces applied is discharged through the 7 tubes 18 and 17 to the exterior of the vessel that is, all particles that by their greater specific gravity or greater size will travel under centrifugal force outward and in a suflicient degree to pass through the reverse force of water, steam, or air under pressure, being (lischarged through the tube 17 into the trough 19. This discharge of the material is effected not only by centrifugal force, but, in addition thereto, by the force of the on twardl y-discharging jet of water, steam, or air. The material thus discharged is caught in the trough 19 and from there conducted off through the discharge-tube 22 and carried to any convenient point for future treatment. The forcing agenta jet of water, air, or steam under pressure--passes up through the hollow shaft 12 into the chamber 15. It will be seen that the tubes 17 and 18 do not contact with each other, but are set apart, so as to freelyadmit the forcing agent from the chamber 15, so that said forcing agent will act to force out through the tube 17 and in through the tube 18. The pressure applied inwardly through the tube 18 acts to segregate the material being treated by a force reversing centrifugal force, while the pressure acting outwardly through the tube 17 is more particularly intended to effect the discharge of the product of segregation, which product has been forced through the tubes 18 by centrifugal force and against the resisting force. By the use of centrifugal force the distance between the substances of ditferent degrees of specific gravity and particles of different sizes is increased in proportion to the force applied and with the application of a force contrary to the centrifugal force, enabling the discharge of a uniform product and making a thorough and rapid process. All particles of the material which by their condition or by their specific gravity under the centrifugal force applied are unable to overcome the action of the reverse force of the Water, steam, or air, and are thereby prevented from passing out through the tubes against this reverse force, are carried upward and discharged over the flange 20 into the trough 21, passing from said trough through the discharge 23, from which they may be conducted to another like machine with different adjustment of reverse force or of a less degree of reverse force to thereby make another graded product. This operation may be continued as many times as' practicable.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that our invention comprehends the application of centrifugal force with a less degree of reverse and resisting force acting against the centrifugal force in the manner and for the purpose described.

The tubes 17 and 18 (shown in Fig. 2) are plain tubes, preferably of brass or bronze, to obviate oxidation and consequent clogging. It will be apparent that many forms and means may be adopted for applying this adverse force. For instance, instead of having a chamber, such as 15, entirely around the receptacle or cylinder independent chambers may be cast in the cylinder, each leading to the chamber around the discharge-tubes 17 and 18.

In Fig. 4 We show the discharge-tubes in connection with valve mechanism for regulating the degree of the opposing force. The tubes are designated by the numerals 42 and 43, and which, as is the case with the tubes shown in Fig. 2, preferably have a'threaded connection with the inner and outer walls of the treatment vessel. Within the bores of these tubes are placed rubber packing-glands 44 and 45, respectively. These glands are preferably of pure rubber, but may be composed of any suitable fibrous material that is susceptible to compression. The gland 44 is provided at its inner end with a seatingshoulder 46. Between the two glands is placed a spool consisting of the apertured end pieces 47 47 and the connecting-bars 48. Pressing against the gland 45, which is located in the outer tube 43, is a sleeve 49. The outer end of the tube 43 is screw-threaded exteriorly, and adapted to take on to these threads is a cap-nut 50, said nut provided with a central opening registering with the central openings of the sleeve and glands.

The nut is adapted to be turned so as to bear tightly against the outer enlarged end of the sleeve. Bythus screwing up on the capnut pressureiisabrought to bear on both the packinglandaewith the result of compressing them, and thereby reducing the size of the openings therethrough. This enables the convenient adjustment of the forcing element and the discharge and providinga means for simple adjustment to the conditions, both centrifugal force and the adverse force acting against the centrifugal force. It will be seen that the sleeve does not press directly against the gland 45, but against an interposed apertured plate 49'.

It is also obvious that instead of employing the chamber 15 tubes fixed outside of the treatment vessel and connected with the pressuresupply may be adopted. Fig. 5 shows'such an arrangement. In this form but one tube 51 is used, having a duct or passage from its outer end into the treatment vessel. Open ing into this tube is the pipe or conduit 52 for the forcing agent, which enters the tube at an angle and in such size and manner as will insure the pressure applied through the tube 51 inwardly to segregate the material, said material being thereby treated by aforce reversing centrifugal force and outwardly for the discharge of the product of segregation. The end of the pipe or conduit can be connected to the hollow shaft through the hub 16, or may be connected direct to the hollow shaft or direct to the supply-pipe.

It will be noticed that the tubes 18 of Fig. 2, the tube 42 of Fig. 4, and the tube 51 of Fig. 5 have their greatest diameter of bore at their inner ends, so that the passage ofthe material which passes into said tubes against the adverse force may be facilitated.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings we show a fluidforcing device suitable for one form of fluid-- as, for instance, waterand adapted to force said fluid into the conduit12. This device, as shown, is an ordinary form of pump. It consists of a cylinder 53, in which is arranged a piston, (not shown,) from which extends a piston-rod 54. The top of the cylinder is formed with a subdivided valve-chamber 55. Into this valve-chamber leads an inlet-pipe 56, and from the valve-chamber extends an outlet-pipe 57, said pipe 57 extended to and connected with the pipe which projects from the coupling 41. In each compartment of the valve-chamber are arranged two openings leading to the cylinder and controlled by two oppositely-opening valves. As this is a common form of pump and as its operation is Well understood by those skilled in the art, no further explanation thereof is deemed necessary. We desire to be understood, however, as not restricting ourselves to this particular form of pump, inasmuch as in case fluids are used other than water other forms of forcing devices maybe required. In fact,thefluid may be forced to the conduit merely by taking the supply from a high elevation and permitting the fluid to descend by gravity and to be forced up into the conduit thereby.

What we claim as our invention is 1. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores, or disintegrated materials, the combination, with a revoluble treatment vessel adapted to act centrifugally on the material contained therein, said vessel provided with inner and outer walls, the space confined by the inner wall forming the vessel proper, and the space confined between the two walls formingaclosedsnpplemental chamber, said outer wall provided with a discharge-tube, and said inner wall also provided with a similar tube, the latter telescoping into the former, and said tubes having a space therebetween with which space the supplemental chamber is in communication, of a conduit leading from a pressure device to the supplemental chamber, said conduit, in connection with the supplemental chamber, adapted to serve as a passage for an opposing force, said force consisting of a suitable agent under a continuous pressure from the source of initial energy or pressure to the discharge-tubes.

2. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores, or disintegrated materials, the combination, of a treatment vessel adapted to act centrifugally on the material contained therein, said vessel provided with a discharge opening or openings, a hollow revoluble shaft connected to the vessel, and adapted to revolve the same therewith, said hollow shaft leading from a pressure device, and a conduit or conduits leading from said shaft to the discharge opening or openings, and being in communication with the vessel only at said opening or openings, said hollow shaft adapted to serve as a conduit foran opposing force, said force consisting of a suitable agent under a pressure from the source of initial energy or pressure, which pressure'is continuous throughoutthe course of the agent through the shaft and conduitor conduits to the discharge openmg or openings.

3. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores or disintegrated materials, the combination, of a treatment vessel adapted to act centrifugally on the material contained therein, said vessel provided with a supplemental chamber and with a discharge to which said chamber leads, the chamber being in communication with the vessel only at the point of discharge, a hollow revoluble shaft connected to the receptacle and adapted to re-,

volve the same therewith, said hollow shaft communicating with the supplemental chamber, and a force-feed pipe leading to the hollow shaft, and adapted to discharge the pressure agent therein.

4. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores, or finely divided or disintegrated materials,the com bination,of a receptacle adapted to act centrifugally on the material contained therein, said receptacle provided with a discharge, a hollow rotatable shaft connected to the receptacle, and adapted to revolve the same therewith, a conduit leading from the hollow shaft to the discharge, a base-plate, a gland secured thereto, into which gland the lower end of the hollow shaft extends, a stuffing-box fitting in the gland, a packing between the stufling-box and the gland, bolts connecting the stufling-box with the gland, and a force-feed pipe extending into the gland and communicating with the hollow shaft.

5. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores or finely divided or disintegrated materials,the combinatiomof a receptacle adapted to act centrifugally on the material contained therein, said receptacle provided with a discharge, a hollow rotatable shaft connected to the receptacle, and adapted to revolve the same, aconduit leading from the hollow shaft to the discharge,a baseplate, a collar secured to said plate, a force-feed pipe extending through said collar and communicating with the hollow shaft, and a set-screw passing through the collar and impinging against the pipe.

6. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores, or disintegrated materials, the combination,of a revoluble receptacle adapted to act cen trifugally on the material contained therein, said receptacle provided with a dischargetube, a compressible gland within the tube, means for compressing said gland to decrease the size of the discharge-opening through which the material passes centrifugally, and a conduit leading to the discharge-tube, said conduit adapted to serve as a passage for a pressure agent.

7. In mechanism forsizingand segregating ores or disintegrated materials, the combination, with a revoluble receptacle adapted to act centrifugally on the material contained therein, said receptacle provided with a supplemental chamber, each wall of the supplemental chamber provided with a dischargetube, one tube telescopinginto the other, compressible tubular glands within the respective tubes, a spool between the two glands, the apertured heads of said spool bearing against the respective glands, and said spool provided with an opening or openings between its heads, a sleeve fitting against the outer gland, a cap-nut engaging threads at the outer end of the outer tube and adapted to bear against the sleeve, and a conduit leading to the space between the tubes, said conduit adapted to serve as a passage for a pressure agent to the space between the tubes, said pressure agent adapted to enter the opening or openings in the spool.

8. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores or finely divided or disintegrated materials, the combination, with a revoluble treatment vessel adapted to act by centrifugal force on material contained therein, said vessel provided with a discharging-outlet, adapted to discharge to the exterior of the vessel, of a conduit having a connection with the external discharge of the treatment vessel, said conduit adapted to serve as a passage for an opposing force which is conducted under a continuous pressure through the discharge into the receptacle and simultaneously through the discharge outwardly, by which construction the energy under pressure exerts both an inward and outward pressure at the point of external discharge, the inwardly-acting portion adapted to drive back the lighter particles, while permitting the heavier particles to be forced against and through it by centrifugal force to effect the discharge of the heavier particles at the point of external discharge, said discharge being facilitated by the outward ly-acting portion of the agent, and an external fluid-forcing device connected to or communicating with the conduit.

9. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores or disintegrated materials, the combination, with a revoluble treatment vessel adapted to act by centrifugal force on the material contained therein, said vessel provided with a discharging-outlet, adapted to discharge to the exterior of the vessel, of a conduit leading to the external discharge, said conduit adapted to serve as a passage for an opposing force, said force consisting of a suitable agent under a continuous pressure from the source of initial energy or pressure to the external discharge, the force of said agent acting directly against the centrifugally-discharging material at the point of external discharge of said material, and being so regulated as to drive back lighter particles, while permitting the heavier particles to be forced against and through it at the point of external discharge, and an external fluid-forcing device connected to or communicating with the conduit.

10. In mechanism for sizing and segregating ores or disintegrated materials, the combination, with a revolnble treatment vessel adapted to act by centrifugal force on the material contained therein, said vessel provided with a discharging-outlet adapted to discharge to the exterior of the vessel, of a conduit leading to the external discharge, said conduit adapted to serve as a passage for an opposing force, said force consisting of a suitable agent under a continuous pressure from the source of initial energy or pressure to the external discharge, the force of said agent acting directly against the centrifugally-discharging material at the point of external discharge of said material, and being so regulated as to drive back the lighter particles, while permitting the heavier particles to be forced against and through it at the point of external discharge, an external fluid-forcing device connected to or communicating with the conduit, and means for adjusting the degree of the opposing force.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. SEYMOUR. HENRY S. MOREY. Witnesses:

G. E. PIERCE, J AS. MIERSON. 

